Arya News - The pledge came during a farewell meeting last week between Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Thongsavan Phomvihane, and UNDP Representative in Laos, Ms Martine Thérer, according to a report from the ministry.
VIENTIANE – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will continue supporting Laos as the country moves through its transition to graduation from least developed country status.
The pledge came during a farewell meeting last week between Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Thongsavan Phomvihane, and UNDP Representative in Laos, Ms Martine Thérer, according to a report from the ministry.
Ms Thérer, who will complete her tenure in Laos at the end of August, said UNDP would continue to strengthen cooperation with Laos and support the government’s development plans and priorities under the leadership of the new UNDP Representative.
Her tenure has covered a period in which Laos has prepared for graduation from least developed country status, with UNDP supporting efforts to strengthen development, reduce poverty, and build resilience to economic and environmental challenges.
Mr Thongsavan expressed his appreciation for Ms Thérer’s contribution and praised the strong cooperation between the government and UNDP, particularly in supporting the country’s national development plans and its preparations for the next stage of development.
He highlighted UNDP’s contribution to the 9th Five-Year National Socio-Economic Development Plan and its support in drafting the 10th development plan.
UNDP has also supported the Round Table Process, poverty reduction, unexploded ordnance clearance, and efforts to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Mr Thongsavan welcomed the new Country Programme Document for 2027-2031 agreed to between UNDP and the government.
The two sides are also working on a new United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for 2027-2031.
Mr Thongsavan called on UNDP to continue supporting the government’s development plans and priorities, particularly as Laos enters a key transition period in graduating from least developed country status during the years 2026 and 2029.
The government has awarded Ms Thérer a Friendship Medal in recognition of her contributions to Laos’ socio-economic development.
From 2022 to 2026, cooperation between UNDP and the government covered public administration and the rule of law, poverty reduction, the Sustainable Development Goals, environmental protection, climate change and disaster resilience.
It also supported Laos’ transition to graduation from least developed country status, unexploded ordnance clearance, gender equality, and women’s empowerment.
Projects carried out under the Country Programme Document and other programmes during the period were valued at more than US$60 million.
The figure highlights the scale of UNDP’s development partnership with Laos, which extends beyond policy support to practical areas affecting communities and livelihoods.
As Laos prepares for its next stage of development, the new 2027-2031 cooperation framework will provide a basis for continued United Nations support as the country navigates the opportunities and challenges of graduation from least developed country status.